Graz, Austria. Georg Richter was declared dead on November 14th, four days after an accident in his local gym. The 21-year-old was an experienced climber and had just finished leading a 6+ route. According to local news outlets his less experienced partner lost control of the rope as Richter weighted it.

The new gym I go to has taller walls that I'm not entirely used to, so I actually think about this a lot now. I'm EXTRA careful with my knots and double check everything, and I am definitely pickier in who I allow to belay me.

I imagine he will be found guilty, provided he had passed a belay test as most gyms require. although unfortunate, maybe this accident and litigation will get the attention of some fool gri-gri mis-users.

I imagine he will be found guilty, provided he had passed a belay test as most gyms require. although unfortunate, maybe this accident and litigation will get the attention of some fool gri-gri mis-users.

What makes you think the belayer was using a gri-gri? Had he been this might not have happened.

Christian Knoll Actually it is true, that he didn't use any auto-blocking device. He was using a tuber - the climber had allready clipped the top - when he sat into he just rushed through. The belayer was distracted by surrounding people and it seems that he had let go his hands of the rope. The climber landed on his feet, but unfortunately he fall backwards and hit the floor with his head, and no there were no padded floors.

Note that the Alpine author confirms that the belayer is being charged with negligent homicide.

Can of worms?

This is good for nobody. There are risks inherent in climbing (duh), even indoors. When Mr. Richter made the decision to climb, he accepted those risks. End of opinion.

j_ung wrote:

spikeddem wrote:

Note that the Alpine author confirms that the belayer is being charged with negligent homicide.

Can of worms?

This is good for nobody. There are risks inherent in climbing (duh), even indoors. When Mr. Richter made the decision to climb, he accepted those risks. End of opinion.

I am definitely leaning towards this side as well... When I allow someone to belay me I am agreeing that I do not think they are negligent or incompetent, and I believe they can belay me safely (or else why who I put my life in their hands). This is why I am fairly picky about who I allow belay me.

Note that the Alpine author confirms that the belayer is being charged with negligent homicide.

Can of worms?

This is good for nobody. There are risks inherent in climbing (duh), even indoors. When Mr. Richter made the decision to climb, he accepted those risks. End of opinion.

j_ung wrote:

spikeddem wrote:

Note that the Alpine author confirms that the belayer is being charged with negligent homicide.

Can of worms?

This is good for nobody. There are risks inherent in climbing (duh), even indoors. When Mr. Richter made the decision to climb, he accepted those risks. End of opinion.

I am definitely leaning towards this side as well... When I allow someone to belay me I am agreeing that I do not think they are negligent or incompetent, and I believe they can belay me safely (or else why who I put my life in their hands). This is why I am fairly picky about who I allow belay me.

I think far too many people forget the bolded point. One of the things that sets climbing apart is that we literally trust our partners with our life.

Seems to me that if an experienced climber is has an inexperienced belayer, the experienced climber should be held more responsible for F-ups than the noob on belay. Of course, he's not around to point fingers at...but they were in a gym, so what about whoever gave the guy his intro lesson and sent him on his way?

I have no idea how many times the belayer had ever belayed before or what kind of training he had...just saying that if someone is handed a dangerous object and not trained, it's not necessarily their fault if they screw up.

Christian Knoll Actually it is true, that he didn't use any auto-blocking device. He was using a tuber - the climber had allready clipped the top - when he sat into he just rushed through. The belayer was distracted by surrounding people and it seems that he had let go his hands of the rope. The climber landed on his feet, but unfortunately he fall backwards and hit the floor with his head, and no there were no padded floors.

15 hours ago ·

I wonder if this is a case of the climber clipping the top and just sitting back with out yelling take or any such communication. I've noticed this as a casual habit of many of the more experienced climbers at my gym (and at comps for that matter) and it always makes me cringe.

I guess I just have trust issues but I ain't letting go until I know the potential idjiot on the ground is paying attention...

Christian Knoll Actually it is true, that he didn't use any auto-blocking device. He was using a tuber - the climber had allready clipped the top - when he sat into he just rushed through. The belayer was distracted by surrounding people and it seems that he had let go his hands of the rope. The climber landed on his feet, but unfortunately he fall backwards and hit the floor with his head, and no there were no padded floors.

15 hours ago ·

I wonder if this is a case of the climber clipping the top and just sitting back with out yelling take or any such communication. I've noticed this as a casual habit of many of the more experienced climbers at my gym (and at comps for that matter) and it always makes me cringe.

The climber shouldn't have to call "take" at the top. If you have to tell to your belayer to catch you, there is something very wrong with your belayer.

Christian Knoll Actually it is true, that he didn't use any auto-blocking device. He was using a tuber - the climber had allready clipped the top - when he sat into he just rushed through. The belayer was distracted by surrounding people and it seems that he had let go his hands of the rope. The climber landed on his feet, but unfortunately he fall backwards and hit the floor with his head, and no there were no padded floors.

15 hours ago ·

I wonder if this is a case of the climber clipping the top and just sitting back with out yelling take or any such communication. I've noticed this as a casual habit of many of the more experienced climbers at my gym (and at comps for that matter) and it always makes me cringe.

The climber shouldn't have to call "take" at the top. If you have to tell to your belayer to catch you, there is something very wrong with your belayer.

Jay

Word. I always think it's funny when I'm belaying someone and they get to the top and hang on for dear life until I've looked right at them and say "Gotcha!" Umm..If you're not gonna fall without annoucing it, then I can just hang out by the water fountain 'til you call me over.

Christian Knoll Actually it is true, that he didn't use any auto-blocking device. He was using a tuber - the climber had allready clipped the top - when he sat into he just rushed through. The belayer was distracted by surrounding people and it seems that he had let go his hands of the rope. The climber landed on his feet, but unfortunately he fall backwards and hit the floor with his head, and no there were no padded floors.

15 hours ago ·

I wonder if this is a case of the climber clipping the top and just sitting back with out yelling take or any such communication. I've noticed this as a casual habit of many of the more experienced climbers at my gym (and at comps for that matter) and it always makes me cringe.

The climber shouldn't have to call "take" at the top. If you have to tell to your belayer to catch you, there is something very wrong with your belayer.

Christian Knoll Actually it is true, that he didn't use any auto-blocking device. He was using a tuber - the climber had allready clipped the top - when he sat into he just rushed through. The belayer was distracted by surrounding people and it seems that he had let go his hands of the rope. The climber landed on his feet, but unfortunately he fall backwards and hit the floor with his head, and no there were no padded floors.

15 hours ago ·

I wonder if this is a case of the climber clipping the top and just sitting back with out yelling take or any such communication. I've noticed this as a casual habit of many of the more experienced climbers at my gym (and at comps for that matter) and it always makes me cringe.

The climber shouldn't have to call "take" at the top. If you have to tell to your belayer to catch you, there is something very wrong with your belayer.

Jay

Not that I disagree entirely, and yet it seems people do hit the ground. I prefer to check. Call me a n00b if ya want.